Benign mixed Müllerian (duct) vaginal tumor in a 12-y-old goat.

In human and veterinary medicine, mixed Müllerian tumors (MMTs) are rarely diagnosed neoplasms of the tubular female genital tract. Although there are case reports of malignant MMTs in various species, benign MMTs have only been described once in a macaque. Here we present a case of benign MMT in a 12-y-old goat, and review the literature on uterine, cervical, and vaginal neoplasia in goats. The doe was presented with vaginal discharge and was euthanized because of the high suspicion of intraabdominal neoplasia. On gross examination, an ulcerated vaginal mass was identified. Histologically, 2 distinct cell populations were present: smooth muscle cells that were well differentiated and positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin, and ciliated columnar epithelial cells that lined ductal structures and had no signs of malignancy. These findings led to the diagnosis of neoplasia of Müllerian origin. Benign MMT should be considered as a differential diagnosis for uterine and vaginal neoplasms in goats.

Helcococcus ovis associated with septic arthritis and bursitis in calves - a case report.

BACKGROUND: Septic arthritis often occurs in young calves when the passive transfer of maternal immunoglobulins has failed, which results in hypogammaglobulinaemia in the calf. Another important cause is suboptimal herd health management which often leads to general health impairment and, subsequently, to septic arthritis. CASE PRESENTATION: A dairy farmer consulted the Herd Health Service of the University Clinic reporting general herd health impairment, a high incidence of respiratory diseases, unsatisfactory weight gain and arthritis in calves, as well as mastitis and high milk cell counts. Clinical examinations were performed, and diagnostic measures were taken. A transtracheal lavage (TTL) was performed, and synovial swab samples were taken from the carpal joint and the subcutaneous tarsal bursae of two calves. Microbiological examinations of synovial swabs revealed co-infections of Trueperella pyogenes and Helcococcus ovis in one calf and Helcococcus ovis in pure culture in the other. The TTLs confirmed the presence of Mycoplasma spp. associated with respiratory diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Helcococcus ovis is currently regarded as a co-infective bacterial agent. However, it seems to play a significant role as the primary pathogen in this case.

Behavioral evolution accompanying host shifts in cactophilic Drosophila larvae.

For plant utilizing insects, the shift to a novel host is generally accompanied by a complex set of phenotypic adaptations. Many such adaptations arise in response to differences in plant chemistry, competitive environment, or abiotic conditions. One less well-understood factor in the evolution of phytophagous insects is the selective environment provided by plant shape and volume. Does the physical structure of a new plant host favor certain phenotypes? Here, we use cactophilic Drosophila, which have colonized the necrotic tissues of cacti with dramatically different shapes and volumes, to examine this question. Specifically, we analyzed two behavioral traits in larvae, pupation height, and activity that we predicted might be related to the ability to utilize variably shaped hosts. We found that populations of D. mojavensis living on lengthy columnar or barrel cactus hosts have greater activity and pupate higher in a laboratory environment than populations living on small and flat prickly pear cactus cladodes. Crosses between the most phenotypically extreme populations suggest that the genetic architectures of these behaviors are distinct. A comparison of activity in additional cactophilic species that are specialized on small and large cactus hosts shows a consistent trend. Thus, we suggest that greater motility and an associated tendency to pupate higher in the laboratory are potential larval adaptations for life on a large plant where space is more abundant and resources may be more sparsely distributed.

Repeated chemoembolization followed by laser-induced thermotherapy for liver metastasis of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate local tumor control and survival after use of a downstaging protocol of repeated transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with two chemotherapeutic combinations followed by laser-induced thermotherapy in the care of patients with liver metastasis of breast cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 161 patients with liver metastasis of breast cancer origin. TACE (mean, 3.5 [SD, 1.3] sessions per patient; range, 1-9 sessions) was performed as downstaging treatment to achieve the size and number of metastatic lesions that met the requirements for laser-induced thermotherapy (diameter < 5 cm, number ≤ 5). The TACE protocol was performed with either mitomycin C alone (n = 53) or mitomycin C in combination with gemcitabine (n = 108). RESULTS: In response to TACE overall, the mean reduction in diameter based on the longest diameter of the target lesions was 27%. The difference between diameter reduction in the mitomycin C group and that in the mitomycin C-gemcitabine group was not statistically significant (p = 0.65). The mean survival time of all patients was 32.5 months, calculation starting from the first TACE treatment. The mean local tumor control period calculated as of completion of therapy was 13 months, and the mean time to progression was 8 months. In the mitomycin-gemcitabine group, mean time to progression was 10.7 months, and in the mitomycin group it was 6.9 months (p = 0.5). CONCLUSION: TACE can be used for sufficient downstaging of liver metastatic lesions of breast cancer to allow laser-induced thermotherapy. A combination of mitomycin C and gemcitabine seems to improve the reduction achieved with TACE.

Leiomyoma volume changes at follow-up after uterine artery embolization: correlation with the initial leiomyoma volume and location.

PURPOSE: To study the changes in uterine leiomyoma volume after uterine artery embolization (UAE) and to correlate these changes with the initial tumor volume and location within the uterus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed retrospectively on 28 consecutive patients (age, 37-57 years; mean, 48 y +/- 4.81) with 84 uterine leiomyomas. UAE was performed between June 2006 and August 2007. All tumors in all patients were evaluated. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before UAE and 3 months and 1 year after UAE. The volume and location of each tumor were evaluated in consensus by two radiologists. RESULTS: The mean pre-UAE volume of the leiomyomas was 51.6 cm(3) (range, 0.72-371.1 cm(3); SD, 79.3). Seven tumors were submucous, 28 intramural, and 49 subserous. At 3-month follow-up, 83 tumors (98.8%) showed volume reduction (mean, 52.62% +/- 21.85%; range, 12.79%-96.67%) and one (1.2%) increased in volume. At 1-year follow-up, five tumors (6%) were undetectable, 72 (85.7%) showed a further volume reduction of 20.5% +/- 11.92% (range, 2.52%-58.72%) relative to the 3-month volume, and seven (8.3%) increased in volume. A statistically significant difference (P = .026 at 3 months and P = .0046 at 1 year) in percentage of volume change was observed based on tumor location; submucous tumors showed the greatest volume reduction and subserous tumors the least reduction. The initial tumor volume showed a weak negative correlation (Spearman correlation coefficients, -0.35 at 3 months and -0.36 at 1 year) with tumor volume change. CONCLUSIONS: UAE results in leiomyoma volume reduction at 3-month and 1-year follow-up. The tumor location plays an important role in volume changes and the initial tumor volume plays a minor role. Further studies with larger numbers of submucous leiomyomas are needed.